Heat pump system for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A heat pump system may include a cooling apparatus configured to include a radiator, a first water pump, a first valve, a second valve, and a reservoir tank which are connected through a coolant line; a battery cooling apparatus including a battery coolant line connected to the coolant line through the first valve, and a second water pump and a battery module which are connected through the battery coolant line to circulate the coolant in the battery module; a heating apparatus including a heating line connected to the coolant line through the second valve and a third water pump provided on the heating line, and a heater; a chiller provided in the battery coolant line between the first valve and the battery module, connected to a chiller connection line through the second valve connected to the chiller connection line, and connected to a refrigerant line of an air conditioner through a refrigerant connection line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2020-0069718 filed on Jun. 9, 2020, the entire contents of which isincorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a heat pump system for avehicle which adjusts a temperature of a battery module by use of onechiller that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and a coolantand improves heating efficiency by use of waste heat generated from anelectrical component.

Description of Related Art

In general, an air conditioner for a vehicle includes an airconditioning system for circulating a coolant to heat or cool aninterior of the vehicle.

Such an air conditioner maintains a comfortable indoor environment bymaintaining an internal temperature of the vehicle at an appropriatelevel regardless of an external temperature change, so that the interiorof the vehicle is warmed or cooled through heat exchange by a condenserand an evaporator during a process in which a refrigerant discharged bydriving of a compressor circulates back to the compressor after passingthrough a condenser, a receiver dryer, an expansion valve, and anevaporator.

That is, the air conditioner system condenses a gaseous coolant of ahigh temperature and a high pressure compressed by the compressor in acooling mode in the summer to reduce a temperature and humidity of theinterior of the vehicle through evaporation in the evaporator throughthe receiver dryer and the expansion valve.

Meanwhile, in recent years, as interest in energy efficiency andenvironmental pollution has been increasing, there has been a demand forthe development of environmentally friendly vehicles configured forsubstantially replacing internal combustion engine vehicles. Theenvironmentally friendly vehicles are usually fuel cell or electricvehicles driven by electricity or a hybrid vehicle driven by an engineand a battery.

Among the environmentally friendly vehicles, the electric vehicle or thehybrid vehicle does not use a separate heater, unlike an air conditionerof a general vehicle, and the air conditioner applied to theenvironmentally friendly vehicle is generally referred to as a heat pumpsystem.

On the other hand, in the case of the electric vehicle, chemicalreaction energy of oxygen and hydrogen is converted into electricalenergy to generate driving force. In the present process, since thermalenergy is generated by the chemical reaction in the fuel cell,effectively removing the generated heat is essential in securingperformance of the fuel cell.

Furthermore, even in the hybrid vehicle, a motor is driven by use of theelectricity supplied from the fuel cell or an electric battery togetherwith an engine that operates by general fuel to generate the drivingforce, and as a result, the performance of the motor may be secured onlyby effectively removing the heat generated from the fuel cell or thebattery and the motor.

As a result, in the hybrid vehicle or the electric vehicle generally, abattery cooling system needs to be separately formed with a separatesealing circuit together with a cooler and the heat pump system toprevent the heat generation in the motor and electrical components, andthe battery including the fuel cell.

Accordingly, the size and weight of a cooling module disposed in thefront of the vehicle increase and a layout of connection pipes thatsupply the refrigerant and the coolant to the heat pump system, thecooler, and the battery cooling system is complicated in an enginecompartment.

Furthermore, the battery cooling system which heats or cools the batteryaccording to a status of the vehicle for the battery to show optimalperformance is separately provided, and as a result, a plurality ofvalves for connection with the respective connection pipes are adoptedand noise and vibration due to frequent opening and closing operationsof the valves are transferred to the interior of the vehicle to degraderide comfort.

The information included in this Background of the present inventionsection is only for enhancement of understanding of the generalbackground of the present invention and may not be taken as anacknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information formsthe prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing aheat pump system for a vehicle, which adjusts a temperature of a batterymodule by use of one chiller that performs heat exchange between arefrigerant and a coolant and improves heating efficiency by use ofwaste heat generated from an electrical component.

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing theheat pump system for the vehicle, including: a cooling apparatusconfigured to include a radiator, a first water pump, a first valve, asecond valve, and a reservoir tank which are connected through a coolantline, to circulate a coolant in the coolant line to cool at least oneelectrical component provided in the coolant line; a battery coolingapparatus including a battery coolant line connected to the coolant linethrough the first valve, and a second water pump and a battery modulewhich are connected through the battery coolant line to circulate thecoolant in the battery module; a heating apparatus including a heatingline connected to the coolant line through the second valve to heat avehicle interior by use of a coolant and a third water pump and a heaterprovided on the heating line; a chiller provided in the battery coolantline between the first valve and the battery module, connected to achiller connection line through the second valve connected to thechiller connection line, and connected to a refrigerant line of an airconditioner through a refrigerant connection line, to adjust atemperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between thecoolant which is circulated in the battery coolant line and arefrigerant which is selectively supplied from the air conditioner;, andwherein the reservoir tank may be provided in the coolant line betweenthe radiator and the first valve, and is connected to the coolant lineconnecting the first valve and the first water pump through a supplyline bypassing the first valve.

The heater may be provided inside a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) module of the air conditioner.

The battery cooling apparatus may include a coolant heater provided inthe battery coolant line between the battery module and the chiller.

When the battery module is heated, the battery coolant line may not beconnected to the coolant line by the operation of the first valve; thecoolant may be circulated along the battery coolant line by theoperation of the second water pump; and the coolant heater may beoperated to heat a coolant supplied to the battery module along thebattery coolant.

The air conditioner may include: a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) module configured to include an evaporator which isconnected thereto through the refrigerant line and a door configured tocontrol an outside air passing through the evaporator to be selectivelyintroduced into the heater depending on a cooling mode, a heating mode,and a heating and dehumidification mode of the vehicle therein; acondenser provided in the heating line between the second valve and theheater to circulate a coolant therein to perform heat exchange betweenthe coolant and a refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant lineconnected to the condenser; a compressor connected between theevaporator and the condenser through the refrigerant line; a firstexpansion valve provided in the refrigerant line between the condenserand the evaporator; and a second expansion valve provided in therefrigerant connection line.

The air conditioner may further include: a sub-condenser provided in therefrigerant line between the condenser and the evaporator; and anaccumulator provided in the refrigerant line between the evaporator andthe compressor and connected to the refrigerant connection line.

A first end portion of the refrigerant connection line may be connectedto the refrigerant line between the sub-condenser and the firstexpansion valve, and a second end portion of the refrigerant connectionline may be connected to the accumulator between the evaporator and thecompressor.

Each of the chiller and the condenser may be a water-cooled heatexchanger, and the sub-condenser may be an air-cooled heat exchanger.

The HVAC module may further include an air heater provided between theheater and the evaporator to selectively heat outside air introducedinto the heater.

The air heater may be operated to raise a temperature of the outside airpassing through the heater when a temperature of a coolant supplied tothe heater is lower than a target temperature for internal heating.

When the battery module is cooled by use of the refrigerant, in thecooling apparatus, the coolant may be circulated in the coolant line bythe operation of the first water pump, and the supply line may beopened; the chiller connection line may be closed through operation ofthe second valve; the heating apparatus may be deactivated; in thebattery cooling apparatus, the coolant may be circulated in the batterycoolant line by the operation of the second water pump; the coolingapparatus and the battery cooling apparatus may form an independentclosed circuits through which each coolant is separately circulated bythe operation of the first valve; in the air conditioner, therefrigerant line connected to the evaporator by the operation of thefirst expansion valve may be closed, and the refrigerant connection linemay be opened through operation of the second expansion valve; and thesecond expansion valve may expand a refrigerant supplied to therefrigerant connection line and supply the expanded refrigerant to thechiller.

When the battery module is cooled in the cooling mode of the vehicle, inthe cooling apparatus, the coolant may be circulated in the coolant lineby the operation of the first water pump, and the supply line may beopened; the chiller connection line may be closed through operation ofthe second valve; in the heating apparatus, the coolant may becirculated in the heating line through operation of the third water pumpin a state where the coolant line and the heating line are connectedthrough operation of the second valve; in the battery cooling apparatus,the coolant may be circulated in the battery coolant line by theoperation of the second water pump; the cooling apparatus and thebattery cooling apparatus may form an independent closed circuitsthrough which each coolant is separately circulated by the operation ofthe first valve; in the air conditioner, the refrigerant line connectedto the evaporator by the operation of the first expansion valve may beclosed, and the refrigerant connection line may be opened throughoperation of the second expansion valve; and the second expansion valvemay expand a refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection line andsupply the expanded refrigerant to the chiller.

When performing the heating and dehumidification mode of the vehicle,the cooling apparatus and the battery cooling apparatus may bedeactivated; the coolant line and the chiller connection line may beclosed through operation of the second valve; in the heating apparatus,the coolant may be circulated in the heating line through operation ofthe third water pump; and in the air conditioner, the refrigerantconnection line may be closed by the operation of the second expansionvalve, and the refrigerant may be circulated along the refrigerant lineby the operation of the compressor.

When waste heat of the electrical component and the condenser isrecovered in a heating mode of the vehicle, in the cooling apparatus,the coolant line connected to the radiator and the coolant lineconnecting the radiator and the reservoir tank may be closed, and thesupply line may be opened; the battery coolant line except for a portionof the battery coolant line connected to the chiller may be closedthrough operation of the first valve; the chiller connection line may beopened through operation of the second valve; the coolant having atemperature that has risen while passing through the electricalcomponent by the operation of the first water pump may be supplied tothe chiller along the opened coolant line and the opened chillerconnection line without passing through the radiator; the coolant may becirculated along the heating line through operation of the third waterpump; a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir tank may becirculated along the opened coolant line through the opened supply line;the cooling apparatus and the heating apparatus may form an independentclosed circuit through which each coolant is separately circulated bythe operation of the second valve; in the air conditioner, therefrigerant line connected to the evaporator by the operation of thefirst expansion valve may be closed, and the refrigerant connection linemay be opened through operation of the second expansion valve; therefrigerant may be circulated along the refrigerant line by theoperation of the compressor; and the second expansion valve may expand arefrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection line and supply theexpanded refrigerant to the chiller.

When cooling the electrical component and the battery module by use ofthe coolant cooled in the radiator, the chiller connection line may beclosed through operation of the second valve; the battery coolant linemay be connected to the coolant line by the operation of the firstvalve; the coolant which is cooled in the radiator and stored in thereservoir tank may be supplied to the battery module, while circulatingthrough the battery coolant line by operations of the first valve andthe second water pump; the coolant circulating through the batterycooling apparatus may be supplied to the electrical component whilecirculating through the coolant line by the operation of the first waterpump; and a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir tank may becirculated along the coolant line through the opened supply line.

When using the waste heat of the electrical component in the heatingmode of the vehicle, in the cooling apparatus, the coolant lineconnected to the radiator and the coolant line connecting the radiatorand the reservoir tank may be closed, and the supply line may be opened;the battery coolant line except for a portion of the battery coolantline connected to the chiller may be closed through operation of thefirst valve; the chiller connection line may be opened through operationof the second valve; in the heating apparatus, the heating line may beconnected to the coolant line through operation of the second valve; thecoolant having a temperature that has risen while passing through theelectrical component by the operation of the first water pump may besupplied into the heating line connected to the opened coolant linewithout passing through the radiator; the coolant flowed into theheating line may be supplied to the heater through operation of thethird water pump; the coolant discharged from the heater may passthrough the chiller along the opened chiller connection line, and thenmay be again introduced into the electrical component; and a part of thecoolant stored in the reservoir tank may be circulated along the coolantline through the opened supply line.

The second valve may open the coolant line connected to the radiator toallow some of the coolant circulating through the heating apparatus toflow into the chiller connection line and the remaining coolant to flowinto the radiator when the electrical component is overheated.

The first valve may be a four-way valve, and the second valve may be afive-way valve configured for distributing a flow.

The electrical component may include an electric power control unit(EPCU), or a motor, or an inverter, or an autonomous driving controller,or an on board charger (OBC).

The supply line may be connected to the coolant line when the coolant iscirculated to the coolant line by the operation of the first water pump.

A described above, according to the heat pump system for the vehicleaccording to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, thetemperature of the battery module may be adjusted depending on the modeof the vehicle by use of one chiller for performing heat exchangebetween the coolant and the refrigerant, and the interior of the vehiclemay be heated by use of the coolant, simplifying the entire system.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, itis also possible to improve the heating efficiency by recovering wasteheat from the electrical component and waste heat from the condenser andusing it for internal heating.

Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, it is possible to optimize the performance of the batterymodule by efficiently controlling the temperature of the battery module,and increase an overall travel distance of the vehicle through efficientmanagement of the battery module.

Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, manufacturing cost may be reduced and a weight may be reducedthrough simplification of an entire system, and spatial utilization maybe enhanced.

The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other featuresand advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in moredetail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, andthe following Detailed Description, which together serve to explaincertain principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicleaccording to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an operational state diagram for cooling electricalcomponents and a battery module by use of a radiator in the heat pumpsystem for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an operational state diagram for cooling a batterymodule by use of a refrigerant in the heat pump system for a vehicleaccording to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an operational state diagram in a cooling mode of avehicle in the heat pump system for a vehicle according to variousexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an operational state diagram for performing theheating mode using waste heat of an electrical component in a heat pumpsystem for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an operational state diagram for waste heat recoveryof an electrical component and a condenser depending on a heating modein a heat pump system for a vehicle according to various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an operational state diagram for a heating anddehumidification mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according tovarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an operational state diagram for heating of a batterymodule in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to variousexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

It may be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily toscale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of variousfeatures illustrative of the basic principles of the present invention.The specific design features of the present invention as includedherein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations,locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particularlyintended application and use environment.

In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalentportions of the present invention throughout the several figures of thedrawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thepresent invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described below. While the presentinvention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodimentsof the present invention, it will be understood that the presentdescription is not intended to limit the present invention(s) to thoseexemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention(s)is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, but also various alternatives, modifications,equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafterbe described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Exemplary embodiments described in the exemplary embodiment andconfigurations shown in the drawings are just the most preferableexemplary embodiments of the present invention, but do not limit thespirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it should beunderstood that there may be various equivalents and modificationscapable of replacing them at the time of filing of the presentapplication.

To clarify the present invention, parts that are not connected to thedescription will be omitted, and the same elements or equivalents arereferred to by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

The size and thickness of each element are arbitrarily shown in thedrawings, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto,and in the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions,etc., are exaggerated for clarity.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unlessexplicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply theinclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any otherelements.

Furthermore, the terms, “. . . unit”, “. . . mechanism”, “. . .portion”, “. . . member”, etc. used herein mean a unit of inclusivecomponents performing at least one functions or operations.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle accordingto various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

The heat pump system for the vehicle according to various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention may adjust a temperature of abattery module 24 by use of one chiller 30 in which a refrigerant and acoolant are heat exchanged, and may recover waste heat generated from anelectrical component 15 to use it for internal heating.

Such the heat pump system may be applied to electric vehicles.

Referring to FIG. 1, the heat pump system may include a coolingapparatus 10, a battery cooling apparatus 20, a chiller 30, and aheating apparatus 40.

First, the cooling apparatus 10 includes a radiator 12 connected to acoolant line 11, a first water pump 14, a first valve V1, a second valveV2, and a reservoir tank 16.

The radiator 12 is mounted in the front of the vehicle, and a coolingfan 13 is mounted behind the radiator 12, so that the coolant is cooledthrough an operation of the cooling fan 13 and heat exchange with theoutside air.

Furthermore, the electrical component 15 may include an electric powercontrol unit (EPCU), or a motor, or an inverter, or an autonomousdriving controller, or an on board charger (OBC).

The electrical component 15 configured as described above may beprovided in the coolant line 11 to be cooled in a water-cooled manner.

Accordingly, when the waste heat of the electrical component 15 isrecovered in the heating mode of the vehicle, the heat generated fromthe EPCU, or the motor, or the inverter, or the autonomous drivingcontroller, or the OBC may be recovered.

Also, the reservoir tank 16 is provided on the coolant line 11 betweenthe radiator 12 and the first water pump 14. The coolant cooled in theradiator 12 may be stored in the reservoir tank 16.

This cooling apparatus 10 may circulate the coolant in the coolant line11 through operation of the first water pump 14 such that the coolant issupplied to the electrical component 15 provided in the coolant line 11.

Meanwhile, the reservoir tank 16 may be connected to the coolant line 11connecting the first valve V1 and the first water pump 14 through asupply line 17.

The supply line 17 may be connected to the coolant line 11 when thecoolant is circulated to the coolant line 11 by the operation of thefirst water pump 14.

That is, when the first water pump 14 is operated, the reservoir tank 16may always flow a portion of the stored coolant into the coolant line 11through the supply line 17.

Accordingly, when the first water pump 14 is operated, the occurrence ofcavitation in the first water pump 14 may be prevented. Furthermore, adamage of the first water pump 14 due to the cavitation may be preventedin advance.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the batterycooling apparatus 20 includes a battery coolant line 21 connected to thecoolant line 11 through the first valve V1 and a second water pump 22and the battery module 24 connected to the battery coolant line 21.

The battery cooling apparatus 20 may selectively circulate the coolantin the battery module 24 through an operation of the second water pump22.

Meanwhile, the battery cooling apparatus 20 may further include acoolant heater 26 provided in the battery coolant line 21 between thebattery module 24 and the first valve V1.

When it is required to increase the temperature of the battery module24, the coolant heater 26 is turned on to heat the coolant circulated inthe battery coolant line 21 such that the coolant of which temperatureis increased may be supplied to the battery module 24.

The coolant heater 26 may be an electric heater that operates accordingto supply of electric power.

That is, the coolant heater 26 is operated when the temperature of thecoolant supplied to the battery module 24 is lower than the targettemperature, so that the coolant circulating in the battery coolant line21 may be heated.

Accordingly, the coolant having an increased temperature while passingthrough the coolant heater 26 may be supplied to the battery module 24,to raise the temperature of the battery module 24.

That is, the coolant heater 26 may selectively operate when thetemperature of the battery module 24 is raised.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the chiller 30 isprovided in the battery coolant line 21 between the first valve V1 andthe battery module 24.

The chiller 30 may be connected to a chiller connection line 31selectively connectable to the coolant line through the second valve V2.

The chiller 30 is connected to a refrigerant line 51 of an airconditioner 50 through a refrigerant connection line 61. That is, thechiller 30 may be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which a coolantflows.

Accordingly, the chiller 30 may regulate the temperature of the coolantby performing heat exchange between the coolant which is selectivelysupplied to the battery coolant line 21 and the chiller connection line31, and the refrigerant which is selectively supplied from the airconditioner 50.

Herein, a first end portion of the chiller connection line 31 isconnected to the second valve V2. A second end portion of the chillerconnection line 31 may be connected to the chiller 30.

The chiller connection line 31 may connect the chiller 30 to the secondvalve V1 according to the operation of the second valve V2.

The heating apparatus 40 may include a heating line 41 selectivelyconnectable to the coolant line 11 through a second valve V2 to heat avehicle interior by use of the coolant and a third water pump 42 and aheater 52 a provided on the heating line 41.

When an interior of the vehicle is heated, the heating device 40 mayconnect the coolant line 11 and the heating line 41 connected to theelectrical component 15 by the operation of the second valve V2 suchthat the high-temperature coolant that has passed through the electricalcomponent 15 is supplied to the heating line 41.

Accordingly, the high-temperature coolant may be supplied to the heater52 a along the heating line 41.

That is, the heating apparatus 40 constructed as described abovesupplies the high temperature coolant introduced from the coolingapparatus 10 to the heating line 41 in the heating mode of the vehicleor the coolant of which the temperature is increased while circulatingthrough the heating line 41 to the heater 52 a through operation of thethird water pump 42, heating the vehicle interior.

Herein, the first, second, and third water pumps 14, 22, and 42 may bean electric water pump.

Meanwhile, the heater 52 a may be provided inside a heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module 52 included in the airconditioner 50.

The HVAC module 52 may further include an air heater 52 c providedbetween the heater 52 a and the evaporator 56 to selectively heat theoutside air flowing into the heater 52 a.

The air heater 52 c may be operated to raise the temperature of theoutside air flowing into the heater 52 a when the temperature of thecoolant supplied to the heater 52 a is lower than a target temperaturefor internal heating.

The air heater 52 c may be mounted on the front of the heater 52 atoward the interior of the vehicle inside the HVAC module 52 toselectively heat the outside air flowing into the heater 52 a.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the airconditioner 50 includes the HVAC module 52, a condenser 53,sub-condenser 54, a first expansion valve 55, an evaporator 56,accumulator 57, and a compressor 59 which are connected through therefrigerant line 51.

First, the HVAC module 52 includes the evaporator 56 connected therewiththrough the refrigerant line 51, and an opening and closing door 52 bfor controlling the outside air passing through the evaporator 56 to beselectively introduced into the heater 52 a depending on cooling mode,heating mode, and heating and dehumidification modes of the vehicletherein.

That is, the opening and closing door 52 b is opened to allow theoutside air passing through the evaporator 56 to be introduced into theheater 52 a in the heating mode of the vehicle. In contrast, in thecooling mode of the vehicle, the opening and closing door 52 b closesoff the heater 52 a such that the outside air which is cooled whilepassing through the evaporator 56 directly flows into the vehicle.

Herein, the HVAC module 52 may further include an air heater 52 cprovided between the heater 52 a and the evaporator 56 to selectivelyheat the outside air flowing into the heater 52 a.

The air heater 52 c may be operated to raise the temperature of theoutside air flowing into the heater 52 a when the temperature of thecoolant supplied to the heater 52 a is lower than a target temperaturefor internal heating.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the condenser 53is connected to the refrigerant line 51 to allow the refrigerant to passtherethrough. The condenser 53 is provided on the heating line 41between the second valve V2 and the heater 52 a such that the coolantcirculating the heating apparatus 40 passes through.

This condenser 53 may condense the refrigerant through heat exchangewith the coolant circulating the heating line 41. That is, the condenser53 may be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which the coolant flows.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sub-condenser54 may be provided in the refrigerant line 51 between the condenser 53and the evaporator 56.

Herein, the sub-condenser 54 may further condense the refrigerantcondensed in the condenser 53 through heat exchange with the outsideair. In other words, the sub-condenser 54 is mounted in front of theradiator 12 to mutually heat exchange the coolant that has been inflowedtherein with the outside air.

As a result, the sub-condenser 54 may be an air-cooled heat exchangerfor condensing the refrigerant by use of outside air.

Accordingly, the sub-condenser 54 may further condense the refrigerantwhich is condensed in the condenser 53 to increase subcooling of thecoolant, improving a coefficient of performance (COP), which is acoefficient of the cooling capacity relative to the power required bythe compressor.

The first expansion valve 55 is provided in the refrigerant line 51between the sub-condenser 54 and the evaporator 56. The first expansionvalve 55 receives the refrigerant passing through the second condenser54 to expand it.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first endportion of the refrigerant connection line 61 is connected to therefrigerant line 51 between the sub-condenser 54 and the first expansionvalve 55. A second end portion of the refrigerant connection line 61 maybe connected to the accumulator 57 between the evaporator 56 and thecompressor 59.

Herein, a second expansion valve 63 is provided in the refrigerantconnection line 61. The second expansion valve 63 may expand therefrigerant flowing through the refrigerant connection line 61 tointroduce it into the chiller 30 when the battery module 24 is cooled bythe coolant heat exchanged with the refrigerant.

That is, the second expansion valve 63 is operated to expand therefrigerant, when the battery module 24 is cooled by use of the coolantheat exchanged with the refrigerant.

This second expansion valve 63 may introduce the refrigerant exhaustedfrom the sub-condenser 54 into the chiller 30 in a state where thetemperature of the refrigerant is reduced by expanding the refrigerant,to further reduce the temperature of the coolant passing through theinterior of the chiller 30.

As a result, the coolant having the temperature which is reduced whilepassing through the chiller 30 is introduced into the battery module 24,being more efficiently cooled.

The compressor 59 is connected thereto between the evaporator 56 and thecondenser 53 through the refrigerant line 51. This compressor 59 maycompress the gaseous refrigerant and supply the compressed refrigerantto the condenser 53.

The accumulator 57 is provided in the refrigerant line 51 between theevaporator 56 and the compressor 59.

Such the accumulator 57 improves the efficiency and durability of thecompressor 59 by supplying only the gaseous refrigerant to thecompressor 59.

Herein, the first and second expansion valves 55 and 63 may beelectronic expansion valves that selectively expand the coolant whilecontrolling a flow of the refrigerant through the coolant line 51 or therefrigerant connection line 61.

Furthermore, the first valve V1 may be a four-way valve, and the secondvalve V2 may be a five-way valve configured for distributing the flow.

Hereinafter, an operation and function of the heat pump system for thevehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention configured as described above will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 8.

First, an operation of a case of cooling the electrical component 15 andthe battery module 24 using the radiator 12 in the heat pump system forthe vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates an operational state diagram for cooling electricalcomponents and a battery module by use of a radiator in the heat pumpsystem for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the chiller connection line 31 is closed throughoperation of the third valve V3.

Furthermore, the battery coolant line 21 is connected to the coolantline 11 by the operation of the first valve V1.

In the present state, in the cooling apparatus 10, the first water pump14 is operated to cool the electrical component 15.

In the battery cooling apparatus 20, the second water pump 22 isoperated to cool the battery module 24.

Accordingly, the coolant which is cooled in the radiator 12 and storedin the reservoir tank 16 is supplied to the battery module 24, whilecirculating through the battery coolant line 21 by operations of thefirst valve V1 and the second water pump 22.

The coolant circulating through the battery cooling apparatus 20 may besupplied to the electrical component 15 while circulating through thecoolant line 11 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

Herein, a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir tank 16 may becirculated along the coolant line 11 through the opened supply line 17.

That is, the coolant cooled in the radiator 12 and stored in thereservoir tank 16 circulates through the coolant line 11 and the batterycoolant line 21 by the operations of the first and second water pumps 14and 22, respectively, to efficiently cool the electrical component 15and the battery module 24.

The air conditioner 50 is not operated because the cooling mode of thevehicle is not activated.

On the other hand, although it has been described in the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention that both of the electricalcomponent 15 and the battery module 24 are cooled, the present inventionis not limited thereto, and when one of the electrical component 15 andthe battery module 24 is separately cooled, the first and second waterpumps 14 and 22 may be selectively operated.

An operation of the case of cooling the battery module 24 by use of therefrigerant will be described with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates an operational state diagram for cooling a batterymodule by use of a refrigerant in the heat pump system for a vehicleaccording to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the chiller connection line 31 is closed throughoperation of the third valve V3.

In the present state, in the cooling apparatus 10, the first water pump14 is operated to cool the electrical component 15.

Accordingly, in the cooling apparatus 10, the coolant is circulated inthe coolant line 11 by the operation of the first water pump 14. At thesame time, the supply line 17 is opened.

In the battery cooling apparatus 20, the second water pump 22 isoperated to cool the battery module 24.

Accordingly, in the battery cooling apparatus 20, the coolant may becirculated in the battery coolant line 21 by the operation of the secondwater pump 22.

Herein, the cooling apparatus 10 and the battery cooling apparatus 20may form an independent closed circuit through which each coolant isseparately circulated by the operation of the first valve V1.

That is, the battery cooling apparatus 20 is not connected to thecoolant line 11 by the operation of the first valve V1. In the instantstate, the battery cooling apparatus 20 may form a closed circuitthrough which the coolant is independently circulated in the batterycoolant line 21 by operation of the second water pump 22.

Meanwhile, the heating apparatus 40 is deactivated.

In the air conditioner 50, each constituent element except theevaporator 56 operates so that the refrigerant is supplied to thechiller 30.

That is, in the air conditioner 50, the refrigerant line 51 connected tothe evaporator 56 is closed by the operation of the first expansionvalve 55. In the instant state, the refrigerant connection line 61 isopened through operation of the second expansion valve 63.

Accordingly, the refrigerant having passed through the sub-condenser 54may be circulated along the refrigerant line 51 and the refrigerantconnection line 61.

Herein, the second expansion valve 63 may expand the refrigerantsupplied to the refrigerant connection line 61 and supply the expandedrefrigerant to the chiller 30.

Accordingly, the coolant passing through the chiller 30 may circulate inthe battery coolant line 21 through operation of the second water pump22 to cool the battery module 24.

The coolant passing through the chiller 30 is cooled through heatexchange with the expanded refrigerant which is supplied to the chiller30. The coolant cooled in the chiller 30 is supplied to the batterymodule 24. Accordingly, the battery module 24 is cooled by the cooledcoolant.

That is, the second expansion valve 63 expands the refrigerant passingthrough the sub-condenser 54 and opens the refrigerant connection line61 such that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the chiller 30.

Accordingly, the refrigerant discharged from the sub-condenser 54 isexpanded to enter a low-temperature and low-pressure state throughoperation of the second expansion valve 63, and flows into the chiller30 connected to the refrigerant connection line 61.

Thereafter, the refrigerant flowing into the chiller 30 is performedheat exchange with the coolant, and then is introduced into thecompressor 59 after passing through the accumulator 57 through therefrigerant connection line 61.

The compressor 59 compresses the refrigerant and supplies it to thecondenser 53.

The sub-condenser 54 may condense the refrigerant introduced from thecondenser 53 through heat exchange with the outside air.

In other words, the coolant with the increased temperature from coolingthe battery module 24 is cooled through heat exchange inside the chiller30 with the low temperature low pressure refrigerant. The cooled coolantis again supplied to the battery module 24 through the battery coolantline 21.

As a result, the coolant may efficiently cool the battery module 24while repeating the above operation.

On the other hand, in the state of cooling the battery module 24 using arefrigerant, if the cooling of the interior of the vehicle is required,the refrigerant line 51 connecting the sub-condenser 54 and theevaporator 56 may be opened by the operation of the first expansionvalve 55.

That is, the first expansion valve 55 may selectively open or close therefrigerant line 51 connecting the sub-condenser 54 and the evaporator56 according to whether or not the cooling of the interior of thevehicle is required.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the operation ofthe cooling mode of the vehicle will be described with reference to FIG.4.

FIG. 4 illustrates an operational state diagram in a cooling mode of avehicle in the heat pump system for a vehicle according to variousexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the cooling apparatus 10, the coolant iscirculated in the coolant line 11 through operation of the first waterpump. At the same time, the supply line 17 is opened.

Herein, the chiller connection line 31 is closed through operation ofthe second valve V2.

In the heating apparatus 40, the heating line 41 and the coolant line 11are connected through operation of the second valve V2.

In the present state, the coolant supplied from the cooling apparatus 10is circulated in the heating line 41 through operation of the thirdwater pump 42.

Thus, the coolant cooled by the radiator 12 may be supplied to thecondenser 53 through operation of the first and third water pumps 14 and42 after passing through the electrical component 15.

Meanwhile, in the battery cooling apparatus 20, the second water pump 22is operated to cool the battery module 24.

Accordingly, in the battery cooling apparatus 20, the coolant may becirculated in the battery coolant line 21 by the operation of the secondwater pump 22.

Herein, the cooling apparatus 10 and the battery cooling apparatus 20may form an independent closed circuit through which each coolant isseparately circulated by the operation of the first valve V1.

That is, the battery cooling apparatus 20 is not connected to thecoolant line 11 by the operation of the first valve V1.

In the present state, the battery cooling apparatus 20 may form a closedcircuit through which the coolant is independently circulated in thebattery coolant line 21 by operation of the second water pump 22.

That is, the coolant line 11 and the battery coolant line 21 formindependent closed circuits through operation of the first valve V1,respectively.

Thus, in the battery cooling apparatus 20, the coolant that has passedthrough the chiller 30 through operation of the second water pump 22 maybe supplied to the battery module 24 along the battery coolant line 21.

In the air conditioner 50, each constituent element operates to cool theinterior of the vehicle. Accordingly, the refrigerant is circulatedalong the refrigerant line 51.

Herein, the refrigerant line 51 connecting the sub-condenser 54 and theevaporator 56 is opened through operation of the first expansion valve55. The refrigerant connection line 61 is opened through operation ofthe second expansion valve 63.

Accordingly, the refrigerant having passed through the sub-condenser 54may be circulated along the refrigerant line 51 and the refrigerantconnection line 61.

Herein, the first and second expansion valves 55 and 63 may expand therefrigerant such that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to theevaporator 56 and the chiller 30, respectively.

Meanwhile, the heating apparatus 40 supplies the coolant supplied fromthe cooling apparatus 10 to the condenser 53 through operation of thethird water pump 42.

The condenser 53 condenses the refrigerant by use of the coolant flowingalong the heating line 41. The sub-condenser 54 may further condense therefrigerant introduced from the condenser 53 through heat exchange withthe outside air.

The coolant passing through the chiller 30 is circulated in the batterycoolant line 21 to cool the battery module 24 through operation of thesecond water pump 22.

The coolant passing through the chiller 30 is cooled through heatexchange with the expanded refrigerant which is supplied to the chiller30. The coolant cooled in the chiller 30 is supplied to the batterymodule 24. Accordingly, the battery module 24 is cooled by the cooledcoolant.

That is, the second expansion valve 63 expands some of the coolantthrough the sub-condenser 54 to supply the expanded coolant to thechiller 30, and opens the refrigerant connection line 61.

Accordingly, the refrigerant discharged from the sub-condenser 54 isexpanded to enter a low-temperature and low-pressure state throughoperation of the second expansion valve 63, and flows into the chiller30 connected to the refrigerant connection line 61.

Thereafter, the refrigerant flowing into the chiller 30 is performedheat exchange with the coolant, and then is introduced into thecompressor 59 after passing through the accumulator 57 through therefrigerant connection line 61.

In other words, the coolant with the increased temperature from coolingthe battery module 24 is cooled through heat exchange inside the chiller30 with the low temperature low pressure refrigerant. The cooled coolantis again supplied to the battery module 24 through the battery coolantline 21.

As a result, the coolant circulated in the battery cooling apparatus 20may efficiently cool the battery module 24 while repeating the aboveoperation.

On the other hand, the remaining refrigerant discharged from thesub-condenser 54 flows through the refrigerant line 51 to cool theinterior of the vehicle, and sequentially passes through the firstexpansion valve 55, the evaporator 56, the compressor 59, and thecondenser 53.

Herein, the outside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 is cooled whilepassing through the evaporator 56 by the low-temperature refrigerantflowing into the evaporator 56.

In the instant case, a portion of the heater 52 a through which thecooled outside air passes is closed by the opening and closing door 52 bsuch that the outside air does not pass through the heater 52 a.Accordingly, the cooled outside air directly flows into the interior ofthe vehicle, cooling the vehicle interior.

On the other hand, the coolant having an amount of condensation which isincreased while sequentially passing through the condenser 53 and thesub-condenser 54 may be expanded and supplied to the evaporator 56,allowing the refrigerant to be evaporated to a lower temperature.

As a result, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecondenser 53 condenses the refrigerant, and the sub-condenser 54 furthercondenses the refrigerant, which is advantageous in forming thesub-cooling of the refrigerant.

Furthermore, as the sub-cooled refrigerant may be evaporated to a lowertemperature in the evaporator 56, the temperature of the outside airpassing through the evaporator 56 may be further lowered, improvingcooling performance and efficiency.

The refrigerant may cool the interior of the vehicle in the cooling modeof the vehicle while repeating the above-described processes, and at thesame time, may cool the coolant through the heat exchange while passingthrough the chiller 30.

The low-temperature coolant cooled in the chiller 30 is introduced intothe battery module 24. Accordingly, the battery module 24 may beefficiently cooled by the low-temperature coolant supplied therefrom.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an operation ofthe case of using the waste heat of the electrical component 15 withoutoperating the air conditioner 50 in the heating mode of the vehicle willbe described with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 illustrates an operational state diagram for performing theheating mode using waste heat of an electrical component in a heat pumpsystem for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the heat pump system may perform heating theinterior of the vehicle by use of waste heat from the electricalcomponent 15.

First, in the cooling apparatus 10, the first water pump 14 is operatedfor circulation of the coolant. In the instant case, the air conditioner50 is stopped.

Herein, a portion of the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12and a portion of the coolant line 11 connecting the radiator 12 and thereservoir tank 16 are closed through operation of the third valve V3.The supply line 17 is opened.

Thus, a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir tank 16 may becirculated along the coolant line 11 through the opened supply line 17.

Herein, the battery coolant line 21 except for the battery coolant line21 connected to the chiller 30 is closed through operation of the firstvalve V1.

That is, the battery coolant line 21 connecting the second water pump 22and the battery module 24 is closed, and the operation of the batterycooling apparatus 20 is deactivated.

Furthermore, in the heating apparatus 40, the coolant line 11 and theheating line 41 are connected through operation of the second valve V2.

Herein, the chiller connection line 31 is opened through operation ofthe third valve V3.

In the present state, the coolant having a temperature that has risenwhile passing through the electrical component 15 by the operation ofthe first water pump 14 is supplied into the heating line 41 connectedto the opened coolant line 11 without passing through the radiator 12.

The coolant flowed into the heating line 41 may be supplied to theheater 52 a through operation of the third water pump 42.

The coolant discharged from the heater 52 a is again introduced into theelectrical component 15 along the opened coolant line 11, after passingthrough the chiller 30 along the opened chiller connection line 31.

That is, the coolant that has passed through the electrical component 15continues to circulate along the opened coolant line 11 without passingthrough the radiator 12, and absorbs the waste heat from the electriccomponent 15 such that the temperature thereof increases.

The coolant having the temperature that has been raised is supplied tothe heater 52 a through the heating line 41 connected to the coolantline 11 without passing through the radiator 12.

Herein, the coolant introduced into the heating line 41 passes throughthe heater 52 a by the operation of the third water pump 42. At theinstant time, the air heater 52 c may be selectively operated dependingon the temperature of the outside air passing through the heater 52 a.

The air heater 52 c may be operated when the temperature of the outsideair passing through the heater 52 a is lower than a target temperature,heating the outside air flowing into the vehicle interior.

That is, the air heater 52 c may be operated when the temperature of theoutside air passing through the heater 52 a is lower than a targettemperature, heating the outside air flowing into the vehicle interior.

The air heater 52 c is operated when the temperature of the outside airthat has completed heat exchange with the high-temperature coolant whilepassing through the heater 52 a is lower than a predeterminedtemperature or a target heating temperature.

As a result, when the air heater 52 c is operated, the outside air maybe heated while passing through the air heater 52 c, to be introducedinto the vehicle interior in a state where the temperature is raised.

Meanwhile, the high-temperature coolant supplied to the heater 52 aperforms heat exchange with the outside air, and then is introduced intothe coolant line 11 via chiller 30 and the portion of the batterycoolant line 21, without passing through the radiator 12 along theheating line 41 and the chiller connection line 31 connected through thesecond valve V2.

Herein, the opening and closing door 52 b is opened such that theoutside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 passes through the heater 52a.

Accordingly, the outside air introduced from the outside thereof flowsinto a room temperature state in which it is not cooled when passingthrough the evaporator 56 to which no refrigerant is supplied. Theintroduced outside air may be converted into a high temperature statewhile passing through the heater 52 a, and flows into the vehicle,heating the interior of the vehicle.

In other words, according to various exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, it is possible to recover the waste heat generated inthe electrical component 15 while repeating the above-described process,and use the waste heat for internal heating, reducing power consumptionand improving overall heating efficiency.

On the other hand, in a process of heating the interior of the vehicleby recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 using thecoolant, when the electrical component 15 is overheated, a portion ofthe coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12, and a portion of thecoolant line 11 connecting the radiator 12 and the reservoir tank 16 areopened through operation of the second valve V2.

Accordingly, the remaining coolant which is not introduced into theheater 52 a is cooled while passing through the radiator 12.

The coolant that has been completely cooled may recover waste heat whilepassing through the electrical component 15, and at the same time, mayefficiently cool the electrical component 15, together with the coolantpassing through the chiller 30 along the heating line 41 and the chillerconnection line 31.

When the electrical component 15 is overheated, the second valve V2 mayopen the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 to allow some ofthe coolant passing through the electrical component 15 to flow into theheating line 41 and the remaining coolant to flow into the radiator 12.

As a result, some coolant cooled in the radiator 12 may be supplied tothe electrical component 15, preventing the electrical component 15 fromoverheating.

Therefore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, it is possible to recover the waste heat generated in theelectrical component 15, and use the waste heat for internal heating,reducing power consumption and improving overall heating efficiency.

At the same time, according to various exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, some coolant may be introduced into the radiator 12through operation control of the second valve V2 configured fordistributing the flow, to be cooled, and then be supplied to theelectrical component 15, efficiently cooling the electrical component 15and ensuring the cooling performance of the electrical component 15.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an operation ofthe case of recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 andthe condenser 53 in the heating mode of the vehicle will be describedwith reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 illustrates an operational state diagram for waste heat recoveryof an electrical component and a condenser depending on a heating modein a heat pump system for a vehicle according to various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the cooling apparatus 10, the first water pump14 is operated for circulation of the coolant.

Herein, a portion of the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12and a portion of the coolant line 11 connecting the radiator 12 and thereservoir tank 16 are closed. The supply line 17 is opened.

Thus, a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir tank 16 may becirculated along the coolant line 11 through the opened supply line 17.

Furthermore, the battery coolant line 21 except for the battery coolantline 21 connected to the chiller 30 is closed through operation of thefirst valve V1.

That is, the battery coolant line 21 connecting the second water pump 22and the battery module 24 is closed, and the operation of the batterycooling apparatus 20 is deactivated.

Meanwhile, the chiller connection line 31 is opened through operation ofthe second valve V2.

In the present state, the coolant having a temperature that has risenwhile passing through the electrical component 15 by the operation ofthe first water pump 14 is supplied into the chiller 30 along the openedcoolant line 11 and the opened chiller connection line 31 withoutpassing through the radiator 12.

That is, the coolant that has passed through the electrical component 15continues to circulate along the opened coolant line 11, the chillerconnection line 31, and the opened portion of the battery coolant line21 without passing through the radiator 12, and absorbs the waste heatfrom the electric component 15 such that the temperature thereofincreases.

The coolant having the temperature that has been raised is supplied tothe chiller 30 along the chiller connection line 31.

That is, the coolant, which absorbs the waste heat of the electricalcomponent 15 and is increased in temperature, is recovered by increasingthe temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the chiller 30 whilepassing through the chiller 30 through operation of the first water pump14.

In the heating apparatus 40, the coolant is circulated along the heatingline 41 through operation of the third water pump 42.

As a result, the coolant circulated in the heating line 41 may besupplied to the heater 52 a after passing through the condenser 53through operation of the third water pump 42.

That is, the cooling apparatus 10 and the heating apparatus 40 may forman independent closed circuit through which each coolant is separatelycirculated by the operation of the second valve V2.

Accordingly, the coolant circulating through the heating line 41 may besupplied to the condenser 53 after passing through the heater 52 athrough operation of the third water pump 42.

Meanwhile, in the air conditioner 50, each constituent element exceptthe evaporator 56 operates so that the refrigerant is supplied to thechiller 30.

Herein, the refrigerant 51 connected to the evaporator 56 is closed bythe operation of the first expansion valve 55. In the instant state, therefrigerant connection line 61 is opened through operation of the secondexpansion valve 63.

The refrigerant passing through sub-condenser 54 may be circulated alongthe refrigerant line 51 and the refrigerant connection line 61.

Herein, the second expansion valve 63 may expand the refrigerantsupplied from the refrigerant connection line 61 to be supplied to thechiller 30.

The coolant, which absorbs the waste heat of the electrical component 15is increased in temperature, is recovered by increasing the temperatureof the refrigerant supplied to the chiller 30 while passing through thechiller 30 through operation of the first water pump 14.

That is, the chiller 30 receives the refrigerant supplied from thesub-condenser 54 and expanded through operation of the second expansionvalve 63 through the refrigerant connection line 61.

And accordingly, the chiller 30 evaporates the supplied refrigerantthrough heat exchange with the coolant of which the temperature isincreased while passing through the electrical component 15, recoveringthe waste heat of the electrical component 15.

Thereafter, the refrigerant passing through the chiller 30 is suppliedto the accumulator 57 along the refrigerant connection line 61.

The refrigerant supplied to the accumulator 57 is separated into gas andliquid. of the refrigerant separated by gas and liquid, the gaseousrefrigerant is supplied to the compressor 59.

The refrigerant compressed with the high temperature high pressure fromthe compressor 59 inflows to the condenser 53.

Herein, the refrigerant supplied to the condenser 53 may increase thetemperature of the coolant by exchanging heat with the coolantcirculating through the heating line 41. The coolant with raisedtemperature is supplied to the heater 52 a.

That is, the heating apparatus 40 supplies the coolant circulatingthrough the heating line 41 to the condenser 53 through operation of thethird water pump 42.

Accordingly, the condenser 53 condenses the refrigerant supplied fromthe compressor 59 using the coolant circulating along the heating line41.

At the present time, the temperature of the coolant circulating in theheating line 41 is increased by heat exchange with the refrigerant whilepassing through the condenser 53. The coolant with the increasedtemperature may be supplied to the heater 52 a along the heating line41.

Herein, the air heater 52 c may be selectively operated depending on thetemperature of the outside air passing through the heater 52 a.

The air heater 52 c may be operated when the temperature of the outsideair passing through the heater 52 a is lower than a target temperature,heating the outside air flowing into the vehicle interior.

That is, the air heater 52 c may be operated when the temperature of theoutside air passing through the heater 52 a is lower than a targettemperature, heating the outside air flowing into the vehicle interior.

The air heater 52 c is operated when the temperature of the outside airthat has completed heat exchange with the high-temperature coolant whilepassing through the heater 52 a is lower than a predeterminedtemperature or a target heating temperature.

As a result, when the air heater 52 c is operated, the outside air maybe heated while passing through the air heater 52 c, to be introducedinto the vehicle interior in a state where the temperature is raised.

Herein, the opening and closing door 52 b is opened such that theoutside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 and passing through theevaporator 56 passes through the heater 52 a.

Accordingly, the outside air introduced from the outside thereof flowsinto a room temperature state in which it is not cooled when passingthrough the evaporator 56 to which no refrigerant is supplied. Theintroduced outside air may be converted into a high temperature statewhile passing through the heater 52 a, and flows into the vehicle,heating the interior of the vehicle.

That is, the heat pump system according to the exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention is used to increase the temperature of therefrigerant by use of the waste heat of the electrical component 15 andthe condenser 53, reducing the power consumption of the compressor 59and improving the cooling efficiency.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the operation ofthe heating and dehumidification mode of the vehicle will be describedwith reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 illustrates an operational state diagram for a heating anddehumidification mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according tovarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the cooling apparatus 10 and the battery coolingapparatus 20 are deactivated.

Herein, the coolant line 11 and the chiller connection line 31 areclosed through operation of the second valve V2.

In the heating apparatus 40, the coolant is circulated along the heatingline 41 through operation of the third water pump 42.

The coolant circulating through the heating line 41 may be supplied tothe heater 52 a after passing through the condenser 53 through operationof the third water pump 42.

Accordingly, the condenser 53 condenses the refrigerant supplied fromthe compressor 59 using the coolant circulating along the heating line41.

At the present time, the temperature of the coolant circulating in theheating line 41 is increased by heat exchange with the refrigerant whilepassing through the condenser 53. The coolant with the increasedtemperature may be supplied to the heater 52 a along the heating line41.

Herein, the air heater 52 c may be selectively operated depending on thetemperature of the outside air passing through the heater 52 a.

The air heater 52 c may be operated when the temperature of the outsideair passing through the heater 52 a is lower than a target temperature,heating the outside air flowing into the vehicle interior.

That is, the air heater 52 c may be operated when the temperature of theoutside air passing through the heater 52 a is lower than a targettemperature, heating the outside air flowing into the vehicle interior.

The air heater 52 c is operated when the temperature of the outside airthat has completed heat exchange with the high-temperature coolant whilepassing through the heater 52 a is lower than a predeterminedtemperature or a target heating temperature.

As a result, when the air heater 52 c is operated, the outside air maybe heated while passing through the air heater 52 c, to be introducedinto the vehicle interior in a state where the temperature is raised.

Meanwhile, in the air conditioner 50, each constituent element operatesfor dehumidification the vehicle interior. Accordingly, the refrigerantis circulated along the refrigerant line 51 by the operation of thecompressor 59.

Herein, the refrigerant line 51 connecting the sub-condenser 54 and theevaporator 56 is opened through operation of the first expansion valve55. The refrigerant connection line 61 is closed through operation ofthe second expansion valve 63.

Herein, the refrigerant supplied to the condenser 53 may increase thetemperature of the coolant by heat exchanging with the coolantcirculating through the heating line 41. The coolant with raisedtemperature is supplied to the heater 52 a.

On the other hand, the expanded refrigerant supplied to the evaporator56 through operation of the first expansion valve 55 is supplied to thecompressor 59 via the accumulator 57 along the refrigerant line 51 afterheat exchanging with the outside air passing through the evaporator 56.

That is, the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 56 may passthrough the accumulator 57 and be supplied to the compressor 59 passingthrough.

The refrigerant compressed with the high temperature high pressure fromthe compressor 59 flows into the condenser 53.

Herein, the opening and closing door 52 b is opened such that theoutside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 and passing through theevaporator 56 passes through the heater 52 a.

That is, the outside air flowed into the HVAC module 52 is dehumidifiedwhile passing through the evaporator 56 by the refrigerant of the lowtemperature state flowed into the evaporator 56. Next, the outside airis converted into a high temperature state while passing through theheater 52 a and inflowing to the vehicle interior, heating anddehumidification the interior of the vehicle.

That is, the heat pump system according to the exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention selectively absorbs the external heat depending onthe internal temperature of the vehicle along with the waste heatgenerated from the condenser 53 in the heating and dehumidification modeof the vehicle by being used to increase the temperature of therefrigerant, reducing the power consumption of the compressor 59 andimproving the heating efficiency.

An operation of the case of heating the battery module 24 will bedescribed with respect to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 illustrates an operational state diagram for heating of a batterymodule in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to variousexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the cooling apparatus 10, the heating apparatus 40,and the air conditioner 50 are deactivated.

Herein, the battery coolant line 21 is not connected to the coolant line11 by the operation of the first valve V1.

That is, in the battery cooling apparatus 20, the battery coolant line21 connecting the second water pump 22, the battery module 24, and thecoolant heater 26 is opened.

In the present state, the coolant is circulated along the batterycoolant line 21 by the operation of the second water pump 22.

Herein, the coolant heater 26 is operated to heat the coolant suppliedto the battery module 24 along the open battery coolant line 21.

Accordingly, the coolant circulating in the battery coolant line 21rises in temperature as it passes through the coolant heater 26.Accordingly, the coolant having an increased temperature while passingthrough the coolant heater 26 may be supplied to the battery module 24,to raise the temperature of the battery module 24.

As a result, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, it is possible to rapidly increase the temperature of thebattery module 24 while repeating the above-described process,efficiently managing the temperature of the battery module 24.

Thus, if the heat pump system for the vehicle according to variousexemplary embodiments of the present invention as described above isapplied, the temperature of the battery module 24 may be adjusteddepending on the mode of the vehicle by use of one chiller 30 forperforming heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant, andthe interior of the vehicle may be heated by use of the coolant,simplifying the entire system.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, itis also possible to improve the heating efficiency by recovering wasteheat from the electrical component 15 and using it for internal heating.

Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, it is possible to optimize the performance of the batterymodule 24 by efficiently controlling the temperature of the batterymodule 24, and increase an overall travel distance of the vehiclethrough efficient management of the battery module 24.

Furthermore, the entire system may be simplified to reduce manufacturingcost and weight, and to improve space utilization.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a controlleris connected to at least one of the elements of the heat pump system, tocontrol the operations thereof.

Furthermore, the term “controller”, “control unit” or “control device”refers to a hardware device including a memory and a processorconfigured to execute one or more steps interpreted as an algorithmstructure. The memory stores algorithm steps, and the processor executesthe algorithm steps to perform one or more processes of a method inaccordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.The controller according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention may be implemented through a nonvolatile memory configured tostore algorithms for controlling operation of various components of avehicle or data about software commands for executing the algorithms,and a processor configured to perform operation to be described aboveusing the data stored in the memory. The memory and the processor may beindividual chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may beintegrated in a single chip. The processor may be implemented as one ormore processors.

The controller or the control unit may be at least one microprocessoroperated by a predetermined program which may include a series ofcommands for carrying out the method included in the aforementionedvarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

The aforementioned invention can also be embodied as computer readablecodes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer readablerecording medium is any data storage device that can store data whichmay be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computerreadable recording medium include hard disk drive (HDD), solid statedisk (SSD), silicon disk drive (SDD), read-only memory (ROM),random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy discs,optical data storage devices, etc and implementation as carrier waves(e.g., transmission over the Internet).

In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, eachoperation described above may be performed by a controller, and thecontroller may be configured by a plurality of controllers, or anintegrated single controller.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appendedclaims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “up”, “down”,“upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “inside”, “outside”,“inwardly”, “outwardly”, “interior”, “exterior”, “internal”, “external”,“inner”, “outer”, “forwards”, and “backwards” are used to describefeatures of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions ofsuch features as displayed in the figures. It will be further understoodthat the term “connect” or its derivatives refer both to direct andindirect connection.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thepresent invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described toexplain certain principles of the present invention and their practicalapplication, to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilizevarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well asvarious alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that thescope of the present invention be defined by the Claims appended heretoand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, the heat pumpsystem comprising: a cooling apparatus including a radiator, a firstpump, a first valve, a second valve, and a reservoir tank which areconnected through a coolant line, to circulate a coolant in the coolantline to cool at least one electrical component provided in the coolantline; a battery cooling apparatus including a battery coolant lineconnected to the coolant line through the first valve, and a second pumpand a battery module which are connected through the battery coolantline to circulate the coolant in the battery module; a heating apparatusincluding a heating line connected to the coolant line through thesecond valve to heat a vehicle interior by use of a coolant and a thirdpump and a heater provided on the heating line; a chiller provided inthe battery coolant line between the first valve and the battery module,connected to a chiller connection line through the second valveconnected to the chiller connection line, and connected to a refrigerantline of an air conditioner through a refrigerant connection line, toadjust a temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange betweenthe coolant which is circulated in the battery coolant line and arefrigerant which is selectively supplied through the refrigerant linefrom the air conditioner; and wherein the reservoir tank is provided inthe coolant line between the radiator and the first valve, and isconnected to the coolant line connecting the first valve and the firstpump through a supply line bypassing the first valve.
 2. The heat pumpsystem of claim 1, wherein the heater is provided inside a heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module of the air conditioner.3. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the battery coolingapparatus further includes a coolant heater provided in the batterycoolant line between the battery module and the chiller.
 4. The heatpump system of claim 3, wherein when the battery module is heated, thebattery coolant line is not connected to the coolant line by operationof the first valve; a coolant is circulated along the battery coolantline by operation of the second pump; and the coolant heater is operatedto heat the coolant supplied to the battery module along the batterycoolant line.
 5. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the airconditioner includes: an HVAC module including an evaporator which isconnected to the refrigerant line and a door configured to control anoutside air passing through the evaporator to be selectively introducedinto the heater depending on a cooling mode, a heating mode, and aheating and dehumidification mode of the vehicle; a condenser providedin the heating line between the second valve and the heater to circulatea coolant therein to perform heat exchange between the coolant and arefrigerant supplied through the refrigerant line connected to thecondenser; a compressor connected between the evaporator and thecondenser through the refrigerant line; a first expansion valve providedin the refrigerant line between the condenser and the evaporator; and asecond expansion valve provided in the refrigerant connection line. 6.The heat pump system of claim 5, wherein the air conditioner furtherincludes: a sub-condenser provided in the refrigerant line between thecondenser and the evaporator; and an accumulator provided in therefrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor and connectedto the refrigerant connection line.
 7. The heat pump system of claim 6,wherein a first end portion of the refrigerant connection line isconnected to the refrigerant line between the sub-condenser and thefirst expansion valve, and wherein a second end portion of therefrigerant connection line is connected to the accumulator between theevaporator and the compressor.
 8. The heat pump system of claim 6,wherein each of the chiller and the condenser is a water-cooled heatexchanger, and the sub-condenser is an air-cooled heat exchanger.
 9. Theheat pump system of claim 5, wherein the HVAC module further includes anair heater mounted between the heater and the evaporator to selectivelyheat the outside air passing through the heater.
 10. The heat pumpsystem of claim 9, wherein the air heater is operated to raise atemperature of the outside air introduced into the heater when atemperature of a coolant supplied to the heater is lower than a targettemperature for internal heating.
 11. The heat pump system of claim 5,wherein when the battery module is cooled by use of the refrigerant, inthe cooling apparatus, the coolant is circulated in the coolant line bythe operation of the first pump, and the supply line is opened; thechiller connection line is closed through operation of the second valve;the heating apparatus is deactivated; in the battery cooling apparatus,the coolant is circulated in the battery coolant line by operation ofthe second pump; the cooling apparatus and the battery cooling apparatusform an independent closed circuits through which the coolant isseparately circulated by operation of the first valve; in the airconditioner, the refrigerant line connected to the evaporator byoperation of the first expansion valve is closed, and the refrigerantconnection line is opened through operation of the second expansionvalve; and the second expansion valve expands a refrigerant supplied tothe refrigerant connection line and supplies the expanded refrigerant tothe chiller.
 12. The heat pump system of claim 5, wherein when thebattery module is cooled in the cooling mode of the vehicle, in thecooling apparatus, the coolant is circulated in the coolant line byoperation of the first pump, and the supply line is opened; the chillerconnection line is closed through operation of the second valve; in theheating apparatus, the coolant is circulated in the heating line throughoperation of the third pump in a state where the coolant line and theheating line are connected through operation of the second valve; in thebattery cooling apparatus, the coolant is circulated in the batterycoolant line by operation of the second pump; the cooling apparatus andthe battery cooling apparatus form an independent closed circuitsthrough which the coolant is separately circulated by operation of thefirst valve; in the air conditioner, the refrigerant line connected tothe evaporator by operation of the first expansion valve is closed, andthe refrigerant connection line is opened through operation of thesecond expansion valve; and the second expansion valve expands arefrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection line and supplies theexpanded refrigerant to the chiller.
 13. The heat pump system of claim5, wherein when performing the heating and dehumidification mode of thevehicle, the cooling apparatus and the battery cooling apparatus aredeactivated; the coolant line and the chiller connection line are closedthrough operation of the second valve; in the heating apparatus, thecoolant is circulated in the heating line through operation of the thirdpump; and in the air conditioner, the refrigerant connection line isclosed by operation of the second expansion valve, and the refrigerantis circulated along the refrigerant line by operation of the compressor.14. The heat pump system of claim 5, wherein when waste heat of the atleast one electrical component and the condenser is recovered in theheating mode of the vehicle, in the cooling apparatus, the coolant lineconnected to the radiator and the coolant line connecting the radiatorand the reservoir tank are closed, and the supply line is opened; thebattery coolant line except for a portion of the battery coolant lineconnected to the chiller is closed through operation of the first valve;the chiller connection line is opened through operation of the secondvalve; the coolant having a temperature that has risen while passingthrough the at least one electrical component by operation of the firstpump is supplied to the chiller along the opened coolant line and theopened chiller connection line without passing through the radiator; thecoolant is circulated along the heating line through operation of thethird pump; a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir tank iscirculated along the opened coolant line through the opened supply line;the cooling apparatus and the heating apparatus form an independentclosed circuit through which the coolant is separately circulated byoperation of the second valve; in the air conditioner, the refrigerantline connected to the evaporator by operation of the first expansionvalve is closed, and the refrigerant connection line is opened throughoperation of the second expansion valve; the refrigerant is circulatedalong the refrigerant line by operation of the compressor; and thesecond expansion valve expands a refrigerant supplied to the refrigerantconnection line and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the chiller.15. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein when cooling the at leastone electrical component and the battery module by use of the coolantcooled in the radiator, the chiller connection line is closed throughoperation of the second valve; the battery coolant line is connected tothe coolant line by operation of the first valve; the coolant which iscooled in the radiator and stored in the reservoir tank is supplied tothe battery module, while circulating through the battery coolant lineby operations of the first valve and the second pump; the coolantcirculating through the battery cooling apparatus is supplied to the atleast one electrical component while circulating through the coolantline by operation of the first pump; and a part of the coolant stored inthe reservoir tank is circulated along the coolant line through theopened supply line.
 16. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein whenusing a waste heat of the at least one electrical component in a heatingmode of the vehicle, in the cooling apparatus, the coolant lineconnected to the radiator and the coolant line connecting the radiatorand the reservoir tank are closed, and the supply line is opened; thebattery coolant line except for a portion of the battery coolant lineconnected to the chiller is closed through operation of the first valve;the chiller connection line is opened through operation of the secondvalve; in the heating apparatus, the heating line is connected to thecoolant line through operation of the second valve; the coolant having atemperature that has risen while passing through the at least oneelectrical component by operation of the first pump is supplied into theheating line connected to the opened coolant line without passingthrough the radiator; the coolant flowed into the heating line issupplied to the heater through operation of the third pump; the coolantdischarged from the heater passes through the chiller along the openedchiller connection line, and then is again introduced into theelectrical component; and a part of the coolant stored in the reservoirtank is circulated along the coolant line through the opened supplyline.
 17. The heat pump system of claim 16, wherein the second valveopens the coolant line connected to the radiator to allow a part of thecoolant passing through the at least one electrical component to flowinto the heating line and a remaining coolant to flow into the radiatorwhen the at least one electrical component is overheated.
 18. The heatpump system of claim 1, wherein the first valve is a four-way valve, andthe second valve is a five-way valve configured for distributing a flow.19. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electricalcomponent includes a motor, or an electric power control unit (EPCU), oran inverter, or an autonomous driving controller, or an on board charger(OBC).
 20. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the supply line isconnected to the coolant line, when the coolant is circulated to thecoolant line by operation of the first pump.